MASON – Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum has been working to prepare for a state-wide presidential recall that was officially filed by Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein on November 30th. Byrum said she planned to begin the recount process as one of the first two counties in the state on Friday, December 2nd.

However, Byrum now says the starting date of Ingham County’s recount process will be placed on hold for at least a few more days due to an expected objection being filed by representatives of the campaign for President-Elect Donald Trump.

“While the opportunity to file an objection is part of the recount process, it is frustrating none-the-less,” Byrum said. “We have dozens of workers who were prepared to assist with the recount in Ingham County starting tomorrow, but due to the objection, they have been put on hold, until we may begin the recount process.”

According to Byrum, Ingham County will remain one of the first two counties in Michigan to conduct its recount and she said she predicts the process may now begin either on December 6th or 7th. She said that those who have committed to serving as recount workers will be contacted via email.

Byrum said the recount will still cost Ingham County approximately $45,000.00, but that there is a cost savings by the objection being filed today, rather than tomorrow after the recount was scheduled to begin.

“If the objection is filed before the recount process actually starts, the county will incur less costs,” Byrum said.

Despite not being required to have an equal amount of Republicans and Democrats working on recount teams, Byrum said it is her goal to have the recount teams as balanced as much as possible.

“Making sure that each recount team is equally represented by Republicans and Democrats is not required, but it is the right thing to do,” Byrum said. “In fact, I am still looking for more Republicans to serve as recount workers.”

According to Byrum, she is seeking the assistance of up to 75 recount workers so that she can have at least 50 working at a time at the Main Arena in the Ingham County Fairgrounds. The shifts will be from 8 am to 7 pm including weekends. She added that the rate of pay for recount workers will be $125.00 per full-day shift.

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